Brendon Pongia

Brendon Pongia (born 27 June 1969) is a New Zealand former professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball League (NBL). He is also a television presenter, having co-hosted Good Morning alongside Sarah Bradley between 2006 and 2011.[1][2]

Brendon Pongia
Personal information
Born (1969-06-27) 27 June 1969
Greymouth, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Listed height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Listed weight90 kg (198 lb)
Career information
Playing career1993–2009
PositionGuard
Career history
1993Waitakere Rangers
1994–1996Hawke's Bay Hawks
1997–2001North Harbour Vikings/Kings
2002Waikato Titans
2003Harbour Heat
2006–2008Wellington Saints
2009Southland Flyers
Career highlights and awards

Early life

Born in Greymouth, New Zealand,[3] Pongia grew up on the West Coast of the South Island. His father, a Māori, walked out on the family when Pongia was very young.[4] As a 16-year-old in 1986, Pongia began training with NBL club Hamilton.[5]

Basketball career

A stalwart of the National Basketball League through the 1990s, Pongia earned greatest recognition in 2001 as a member of the Tall Black squad that defeated Australia to qualify for the 2002 FIBA World Championship. Although he saw little actual court time, he was front and centre in the pre-match build-ups as leader of the haka. He finally captured an NBL title with the Waikato Titans in 2002, but lost his place in the national side. Pongia attended the world tournament in Indianapolis as a spectator and enjoyed a high profile in TV coverage, leading the supporters' haka. He was subsequently offered a presenters' role with TVNZ and later Sky TV in 2003.[6]

After a two-year hiatus from the NBL in 2004 and 2005, Pongia returned to the league with the Wellington Saints in 2006. He played three seasons with the Saints, before departing the NBL following the 2008 season. In July 2009, he signed with the Southland Flyers for the National Provincial Championships.[7] The Flyers went on to win the Open Men's championship with the help of Pongia,[8] who served as team captain.[9]

Personal

In March 2009, Pongia married his wife Michelle Kirkland.[10] Pongia's brother, rugby league player Quentin Pongia, died of cancer in May 2019.[11]

In 2007, Pongia was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars alongside dance partner Hayley Holt. The couple were eliminated in the penultimate episode.[12]

References
  1. Pongia waves goodbye to Good Morning
  2. Former Good Morning hosts Brendon Pongia and Sarah Bradley farewell show
  3. "Gloves on at Paroa showdown". Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  4. Pongia learns about feared ancestor and absent father
  5. Basketball: Pongia the comeback kid
  6. Basketball New Zealand – Brendon Pongia
  7. Brendon Pongia puts in sparkling display
  8. HIGH FLYERS
  9. Sharks need US shooters - Brendon Pongia
  10. Brendon Pongia to wed today
  11. "Kiwis' rugby league legend Quentin Pongia's last days – old videos, rain on the roof and laughter". The New Zealand Herald. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  12. Late night for Pongia after Dancing With the Stars elimination
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Danyon Loader & Hayley Holt		 Dancing with the Stars (New Zealand) third place contestant
Season 3 (2007 with Hayley Holt)		 Succeeded by
Miriama Smith & Jonny Williams
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